where the wild things once were .

it's a bit past 10 on this lovely friday evening. i just got back from checking out my friend's new penthouse. her place is best described in one word: sweet. the fresh, long drapes, compact 'easy bake' style oven and marble bathroom tiles are chic. surprisingly, i feel at home in the remodeled downstairs of her parent's house. what was once a dirt-lined storage space, ideal for hide n go seek and home to multiple creepy crawlers, is now an upbeat, perfectly-lighted apartment for two. i'm impressed. it's neat how dirty, dark, messy places can be renovated, refurbished, and ultimately refined into something beautiful. (brimming with updated appliances and quirky yet personal accents, nonetheless.)

it's refreshing to witness that kind of change, especially when i had gotten so comfortable with the old setup.

oh, growing up.

the beauty of shyness .

"There is something beautiful about shyness, even though in our culture shyness is not considered a virtue. On the contrary, we are encouraged to be direct, look people straight in the eyes, tell them what is on our minds, and share our stories without a blush.
But this unflinching soul-baring, confessional attitude quickly becomes boring. It is like trees without shadows. Shy people have long shadows, where they keep much of their beauty hidden from intruders' eyes. Shy people remind us of the mystery of life that cannot be simply explained or expressed. They invite us to reverent and respectful friendships and to a wordless being together in love."

~henri nouwen